Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, on Thursday, called for the inclusion of vulnerable groups throughout all stages of the development process in order to facilitate social integration and the elimination of discrimination.
The minister made the assertion while speaking during the 2021 United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Special Meeting on the theme of 'Reimagining Equality: Eliminating racism, xenophobia and discrimination for all in the decade of action for the Sustainable Development Goals'.
In his address, Minister Shahid highlighted Maldives’ firm stand against xenophobia, racism, islamophobia, violent extremism and all forms of discrimination.
He went on to call for global solidarity to reach the SDG goals by 2030 and urged the international community to work towards ensuring the inclusion of vulnerable groups.
Minister Shahid also reiterated the need for governments to strengthen measures to eliminate structural discrimination by identifying gaps, challenges and potential opportunities.
Organized by ECOSOC, the meeting was intended to address links between structural racism, discrimination, inequalities and the pursuit of the SDGs.
The ministerial meeting will conclude with in an ECOSOC presidential statement that will provide input to the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in July 2021 when it reviews SDG10 on reducing inequalities and SDG16 on peace, justice and strong institutions.
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